Lifeboat News: The Blog – Safeguarding Humanity

Star birth is dramatic

Posted by Michael Lance in materials, space travel

Nov 19
2018

As a cloud of gas collapses in on itself, swirling material shoots outward in opposite directions. These jets can travel hundreds of miles per second and spread light-years of space. And although jets are tell-tale signs of star formation, they are not fully understood. NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope will not only enable us to see through the dusty shroud that usually hides star birth, but to dissect the interactions between jets and the surrounding medium of gas and dust. Take a closer look: https://go.nasa.gov/2FDfJmy

Space explosions

Posted by Michael Lance in space

Nov 19
2018

As the Earth moves through space, it is trailed by its own magnetic field. These magnetic field lines, or magnetotails, can sometimes get tangled—which can trigger an explosion. These bursts are only a fraction of a second long, but they can scatter millions of electrons at supersonic speeds. Learning about space explosions around Earth can also help us understand space explosions across the universe! Discover more: https://go.nasa.gov/2qVsrmt

One of the fathers of AI is worried about its future

Posted by Michael Lance in futurism, robotics/AI

Nov 18
2018

AI research by itself will tend to lead to concentrations of power, money, and researchers … this is not healthy. Even in a democracy, it’s dangerous to have too much power concentrated in a few hands.

Yoshua Bengio wants to stop talk of an AI arms race, and make the technology more accessible to the developing world.

What is AI? We drew you a flowchart to work it out

Posted by Michael Lance in robotics/AI

Nov 18
2018

The definition of artificial intelligence is constantly evolving, and the term often gets mangled, so we are here to help.

VW Confirms Tie With Ford: Electric Cars Part Of the Package?

Posted by Genevieve Klien in sustainability, transportation

Nov 18
2018

The rumors about the VW and Ford electric car partnership are still alive as Volkswagen’s CEO “identified other potential cooperation” outside of just commercial vehicles.

Scientists Want to Search for Life Deep Below the Earth’s Surface

Posted by Genevieve Klien in futurism

Nov 18
2018

A team of researchers from Japan’s Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology’s want to drill into the Earth’s mantle in the 2020s.

If You’re Always Cold, You’ll Need This Heated Jacket ASAP

Posted by Genevieve Klien in futurism

Nov 18
2018

We all have one friend who NEEDS this jacket.

Dinosaur fossil could be the world’s first-ever bird species

Posted by Genevieve Klien in futurism

Nov 18
2018

Often referred to as ‘the missing link’ between dinosaurs and birds, the winged and feathered Archaeopteryx now has a newly described relative that’s more bird than dinosaur.

Hidden in a distant galaxy cluster collision are wisps of gas resembling the starship Enterprise from Star Trek

Posted by Michael Lance in space

Nov 18
2018

Take a closer look: https://go.nasa.gov/2qUG7hy

Surgery for Sleep Apnea

Posted by Genevieve Klien in biotech/medical

Nov 18
2018

There are many types of surgery for sleep apnea. Your doctor might recommend one of them if other treatments, such as oxygen therapy or a CPAP machine, aren’t working for you. We’ll go over the different surgical options, including how they’re done, which ones are most effective, and their risks.